Baptist scholar George Clark on infant salvation

According to William Cathcart, George Whitefield Clark was born at South Orange, N.J., in 1831. He was converted and baptized at twelve years of age, joining the Northfield Baptist church. Graduating from Amherst College in 1853, Clark completed his theological course at Rochester in 1855 and was ordained pastor of the Baptist church at New Market in 1855. Four years later, Clark became pastor of the First Baptist church in Elizabeth until 1868 and then went to the Baptist church at Ballston, N.Y. In 1872 Rochester University conferred upon him the degree of D.D.

Cathcart describes Clark’s contribution to Baptist life:

‘Dr. Clark has been a close and thorough student, His notes on the gospels and “New Harmony of the Gospels” are thorough, sound, and popular. They have been extensively used.’ (p.436, Vol 1. The Baptist Encyclopedia)

The American Baptist Publication Society published several of Clark’s commentaries on New Testament books. Commenting on Jesus taking little children in his arms in Mark 10: 13-16, Clark wrote in the “practical” section of his commentary:

“13. To love little children and to feel an interest in their spiritual interests
is Christ-like. We should bring them to him by prayer and instruction, vers.13-16; Eph. 6:4.

“14. Children should be encouraged to come to Jesus, who is displeased with any hindrances put in their way, ver. 14; Deut.11:19; 1Sam. 2:18; 3:10; Ps. 8:2; Prov. 8:17; Matt. 21:16.

“15. Children who die in infancy are saved by virtue of Christ’s sufferings and death, ver. 14; Rom. 5:12-19; 2Sam. 12:23; 2Kings 4:26

“16. Infant baptism is of human origin. The testimony of the following eminent
Pedobaptist scholars is in point…” (p.203)

–Geo. W. Clark, The Gospel of Mark: A Popular Commentary Upon a Critical Basis, Especially Designed for Pastors and Sunday Schools. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society. 1896.